Loose change

Prudential is introducing a new "baby break" of up to six months in its mortgages. Borrowers will be able to take a break from payments when having a baby, caring for a dependent relative or for a family bereavement, subject to the loan having been maintained "to the lender's satisfaction" for one year. Call 0800 000222.

Cater Allen, the offshore bank, is offering a Gold Visa card which operates no handling charge within the UK or abroad. Cater Allen is also offering a US$ Visa card, with transactions debited to a US dollar account, avoiding exchange costs altogether. The cards are issued only in conjunction with a Cater Allen High Interest Account, for which an initial deposit of pounds 2,500 is needed. No annual fee applies. Call 0800 716177.